Breeds of Ducks 259 



of minor importance in the rearing of ducks for 

 the market. Some hold that if the breeding ducks 

 have access to water, a larger proportion of fertile 

 eggs is secured. Other breeders, however, are able 

 to conduct their business satisfactorily without such 

 water, and consequently it may be said that the 

 value of ponds or running water for breeding ducks 

 may be somewhat questionable. 



DUCKS BREEDS 



Ten breeds of ducks are described in the Ameri- 

 can Standard of Perfection; viz., the Pekin, Ayles- 

 bury, Rouen, Cayuga, Muscovy, East Indian, 

 Call, Crested, Indian Runner and Swedish. Of 

 these, the first four may be mentioned as the profit- 

 able breeds for farm use. While the Muscovy 

 ducks are the largest, yet they are not the most 

 profitable for farmers. The East Indian and Call 

 ducks are too small to be most profitable. They 

 have not been bred for eggs or meat and are con- 

 sidered as fancy fowls. They occupy a similar posi- 

 tion among ducks to that which bantams occupy 

 among chickens. 



Pekin. The white Pekins undoubtedly occupy 

 a foremost position as to popularity. Without 

 doubt, a larger number of White Pekins are reared 

 for market than of any other breed. They are 

 pure white, large, and are excellent layers. They 



